SolitudeMature

I sit on that tree trunk,waiting. Around me the winds blow and the animals of the forest call to each other, gradually realising that I am no threat. The sky begins to darken, from blue, to red, to dark blue, to black. The stars appear. I stare at the stars until, suddenly, the sky begins to lighten. Is it morning? Already? Have I sat here all night? I realise I must have, and also that I still have a long wait before I can see Raphael again. I let out a small huff of the oxygen I don't even need, and tilt my head back, watching the clouds as they drift by, trying to find shapes in them.

"Ember?" I snap out of the daydream I was in. I could have sworn I just heard Raphael's voice.. Then I spot him a few metres away, walking through the trees.

"Raphael!" I call. I jump and in the corner of my eye, see what I have done to the tree trunk. I laugh. Raphael walks over and I point, still laughing. I am so happy to see him that my happiness just needed a tiny push to burst out of my mouth in exuberant laughter.

***********************************

*Raphael's p.o.v*

"Raphael!" Comes Ember's cry. I run towards it, slowing to a nonchalant walk as I enter the clearing. Ember is splitting her sides with laughter. Seeing me, she points to the the fallen tree trunk. I see that there is the perfect imprint of her backside chiselled into the dead wood, worn smooth.

"How long did you sit there?" I ask, trying not to let my worry show in my voice.

"The whole night. And day." She says when she stops laughing.

"Weren't you so bored?" I say, refusing to meet her eyes, in case she sees the guilt in them. I should have done something.. What I should have done I don't quite know, but I know I shouldn't have done nothing...

"Nope. Time seems to pass a whole lot faster when I'm on my own.. I just looked at the stars all night, and the clouds all day! It was fun!"

"You looked at the clouds.. for the whole day?" I say, disbelieving.

"Uhhh-huh." She answers, scuffing her feet. "So. How was school?"

"Boring." I say, glad for the subject change.

"Really? I always thought human school sounded so interesting! Learning all about ellymants, and maythes!"

"Elements. Maths." I correct with a grin. "You wouldn't like it. Trust me."

"Yes I would." She says indignantly.

"No, you really wouldn't," I reply, smiling.

"Yes, I WOULD!" She says, getting more and more indignant.

"Ok, ok, you would." I say, laughing.

"Yay!" she smiles, and suddenly, I want to put my arms around her. I don't know why, but I do. Then she does it for me, flinging her arms about my neck and jumping up, her legs curling about my waist.

"Hey! Wh-what are you doing?" I cry, doing my best taken-aback voice.

"Oh.. um, I'll get down.." She says slowly.

"No." I say, without thinking.

"What?" She says, tilting her head.

"N-nothing. Um, I'm mean, you.. you don't have to, um.. y'know get down." I say awkwardly. She slides down anyway, and goes to sit on the tree trunk. I realise I have ruined the moment, and sigh, going to sit on the other end of the tree trunk. Every few moments I glance at her from the corner of my eye. Then I decide. I get up. "You ok?"

"Yeah.. I.. Don't worry about it." She smiles, but I can see the fakeness in it.

"Well, erm, I have to go now.. Bye.." I walk away. As I am passing the tree branch where her red cloak is still hung, she calls:

"Bye, Raphael. See you tomorrow?" She says it expectantly. My heart soars. She still wants to see me. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Yeah. Normal time!" I call back, and walk away grinning ear to ear. I have told my mum I will be at band practice, or art club, every day after school, so there is no more worry, I can spend the hours after school with Ember. And she still wants me to. I laugh, and several people shoot me odd looks. I decide I don't care, and whistle the rest of my way home.

Story summary

Raphael D'arcy lives in a world that has been turned upside down. Scientists have proven that the creatures we thought dwelt only in books, films and the world of our imaginations are real. Vampires, Werewolves, Witches and Warlocks. And when Raphael meets a young vampire, his life will be changed forever.

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